World Golf Tour

Slow-play record Who knows

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OAKMONT, Pa. – An unofficial record may have been established Thursday in the first round of the U.S. Women’s Open.

The first group off to start the championship was warned for slow play.

At the fourth hole.

“We were actually timed after the third hole,” said Mhairi McKay, who shot even-par 71.

McKay said her group got back on pace on the front nine and ended up having to wait at the turn with the last morning threesome still going off the back nine. McKay’s group ended up finishing in 5 hours and 25 minutes. The U.S. Golf Association set the pace of play for the lead group at 4 hours and 34 minutes. The lead group did not get a second warning or penalty. Oakmont's difficult greens adds to the pace-of-play problems.

“When you have a course like this, it’s challenging to stay on the clock, on pace,” McKay said.

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Mell, a senior writer, is a 30-year veteran and covers the PGA and LPGA tours for Golf Channel.